Cox: Hutchinson can go from strength to strength

PAUL Cox believes Ben Hutchinson can go from strength to strength if he maintains his hunger for Mansfield Town.

The forward made his third start in a week for the Stags and netted in the second minute as Mansfield beat Southport 1-0 at the One Call Stadium.

Cox said: "Nobody ever questions Ben's technical ability and ability with the football. He came here and it was more a mentoring thing for me.

"It was about getting that hungry Ben Hutchinson back. At the minute he is hungry and when he is like that, at times he is unplayable and his touch and awareness is on a different level.

"The lad played in the Champions League a few years ago but the entire 11 and the people who came off the bench showed a great hunger.

"We looked comfortable in general play but you are always going to be vulnerable against a side like Southport, especially from set pieces.

"I thought we created some good chances and probably deserved to put one more away but 1-0 is a great scoreline for me."

Neighbours Alfreton Town made their Premier Sports TV debut and showed the country what they are about with a deserved 4-3 home win over league leaders Newport County at the Impact Arena on Friday evening.

Former Stag Nathan Arnold fired Nicky Law's side ahead on six minutes.

And the lead was doubled on 17 when Paul Clayton swept the ball high into the net from close range.

The visitors pulled one back on 35 minutes when Michael Smith steered the ball into the far corner but Alfreton went into half-time with a 3-1 lead as Dan Bradley smacked home from the penalty spot after David Pipe was adjudged to have brought down Ben Tomlinson in the area.

Aaron O'Connor volleyed home to pull one back but the Reds reopened a two-goal cushion when Clayton headed home another Law corner on 70 minutes.

O'Connor ended the scoring on 89 minutes with a shot high into the net but Alfreton hung on.